I think you are remembering that part of geology class somewhat incompletely. That's fine, geology is a huge subject.

All photos by me.

Ice gouges U shaped channels (especially on a huge scale), water erosion creates V shaped gouges. Here is a good example of the U shape of glaciation erosion, and the river in front of it, carving a V.

https://i.imgur.com/oddQgRL.png

At the base of a formerly glaciated mountain, you get steep smooth talus/scree piles of sharp rock, as sharp stones have a steeper angle of repose, and rain water runs down through glacial till, then out at the base. How much of a talus pile is there has a lot to do with how friable the rock is, after major glaciation retreated.

Example of glacial talus in an area with low rainfall.

https://i.imgur.com/C9FvYJV.jpg

All the rock in that talus fell after major glaciation carved the valley and lake.

Here you can see the material washed down by water erosion fans out at a lower angle, and is also more subject to erosion, as the scree is smaller and mixed with organics.

https://i.imgur.com/jylENUG.jpg

When it comes to coasts (and beaches), they are built and shaped by tidal action. Beaches, whether gravel or sand, are defined as being relatively low in slope, close to water, generally homogeneous in material size, even when (and if!) they are actually talus piles.

You can see this in Australia, where I'm hoping to go some day, to take my own photos. You won't notice these beaches on a map, nor in Northern regions that look all crinkly.

https://i1.wp.com/beautifulplacestovisit.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Apostles_3_GOR.jpg

I wonder if more will grow more than 15 feet. Most only have 4.